What’s on the iPod: Hard Way Home by Runaway Dorothy (with scenes from my friend’s living room)
October already, huh? I can’t believe how quickly this month came up on me. It’s always a major mind shift in September; first there’s the last holiday of the summer, then the work starts piling in, then it’s the first day of fall. That’s a lot of change in 30 short days.
That doesn’t mean it’s not a month where we don’t earn. September has turned out to be my best month so far this year. The work came in right before Labor Day, so there was no delay in getting down to business.
So let’s give September a look, shall we?
Queries:
My queries this month weren’t for magazines, but for poetry journals. Nothing yet, but there’s usually a long period before submissions are reviewed. I sent out three queries.
LOIs:
Despite being insanely busy, I still sent out about a dozen LOIs to try luring in new clients. That resulted in two phone calls about potential projects. Nothing solid, but we’re talking.
Social media:
I connected with a few more people from LinkedIn — eleven in total. Most have connected in return. Also, I reconnected with a few past clients, and that led to some nice conversations and possible work.
Job postings:
I was too busy to search the job boards, so nothing to report here.
Existing clients:
Two clients came back to me with work. One got a price out of me and I finished a small project for them.They needed a bid for ongoing work, and I hope I was able to hit their budget with my bid. Also, I had a past client return with a small revision. It’s always nice to help her.
New clients:
This month is all about the new client and their project. The deadline is tight, and with my vacation right in the center of the month, it’s even tighter. I’m working hard to finish the project, and I should have the majority of it done by midweek.
Earnings:
Pretty great, actually. I surpassed my target. I’m hoping this is an ongoing trend.
Bottom line:
I marketed my head off and it paid off. I’m in the clear for September, and I have projects waiting in the wings. I still need to fill up October, so this week and next will be heavy on the marketing.
How did you do? What worked? What didn’t?
September was a very busy month. Income-wise, it was just slightly over target (for money received) but I currently have invoices out that exceed my monthly target already. October is looking sweet. 🙂
I got two new clients in September. Existing clients kept me very busy and I have projects lined up through the rest of the year. That's good as I am gone half of November for vacation and the 3-Day Walk.
I connected with 15 people on LinkedIn (some I initiated, others initiated by them).
Funny thing – one prospect who originally sought me out for blog posts and assured me through follow-up that yes, he wanted to proceed has apparently decided to go another route. Not that he told me but I noticed his site (health reform-related)is advertising for guest posts where you can get ALL that attention to you by posting for free on their site. Putz.
P.S. Just totaled the quarter – largest quarter for the year. Who doesn't like summer? 😉
I can finally say I had a great month, both in terms of ongoing assignments and of income. Woo, and may I add, hoo.
Queries & LOI: I only sent one of each. A polite pass on the query; no reply on the LOI.
Social Media: I didn't keep track, but I know I added a couple of LinkedIn followers (mostly editors of mine), and my Twitter followers briefly surpassed 600, then dipped back to 596 once some of the robo followers realized I didn't follow them back. I did get the new top editor at one of my regular markets to follow me back on LinkedIn and Google+, but not yet on Twitter…but she doesn't Tweet much.
Postings: I replied to two. No response. No surprise.
Exiting Clients kept me busy, especially two of them. Turned in three columns, on piece to Favorite Editor, six to my next-favorite editors, five to a local pub that doesn't pay well, but the pieces were light and fun, and I accepted them early in the month when I had time. Seems I'm forgetting something. I actually had to turn down an assignment because I simply didn't have time.
New Clients: None.
Earnings: I took in more than double my modest monthly goal, and have about $1000 more than that (the income, not the goal) either invoiced or soon to be invoiced. The catch is almost half of my September income was for work done a couple months ago, and more than half of what I completed this month won't be paid until December.
Bottom Line: It seems as if a revenue stream has finally sprung!
Woo-hoo indeed, Paula! 😉